Humidifying equipment for medical use



March 15, 1960 J. R. GRosHoLz 2,928,664

HUMIDIFYING EQUIPMENT FOR MEDICAL USE Filed 001". 18, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet l INvEN raR ATTORNEY Marcin 15, 1960 J. R. GRosHoLz HUMIDIFYING EQUIPMENT FOR MEDICAL USE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 18. 1954 March 15, 1960 J. R. GROSHOLZ HUMIDIFYING EQUIPMENT FOR MEDICAL USE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed 001'.. 18, 1954 7/ /NVEN TOR TTRNE Y United States Patent HUMIDIFYING EQUIPMENT FOR MEDICAL USE James R. Grosholz, Wayne, Pa., assgnor to Air-Shields,

Inc., Bucks County, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application October 18, 1954, Serial No. 462,687

4 Claims. (Cl. 261 78) This invention relates to humidifying apparatus used for supplying conditioned breathing gas for invalids such as those recovering from sickness or having respiratory ailments.

There are many circumstances under which it is desirable or essential that humidiied air be supplied to invalids. It is customary to use for thisV purpose an enclosure which covers the head and upper portion of the body. Complicated and cumbersome apparatus is used to supply the conditioned gas to the enclosure. Such tent equipment often creates a detrimental psychological eliect by producing a feeling of being shut ot from normal surroundings and in some instances producing a sensation of dread. Also cooling is required where an enclosure is used.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide apparatus for supplying humidifed air to a patient without the need for an enclosing tent. At the same time the apparatus presents a greatly simplified appearance and its operation and adjustment may be seen and easily understood by the patient, thereby eliminating a possible source of distrust which might cause distress.

Another object of the invention is the provision of readily portable apparatus of this nature which incorporates a gas delivery unit which may be easily adjusted in any direction so that it can be positioned properly close to the patients nose and mouth.)

A further object of the invention is to provide a gas delivery unit which also incorporates the water or medicament being used for humidifying purposes asv well as the vaporizing device used for producing the humidifcation and mixing it with vthe gas supply.

An important object is to provide improved apparatus for generating and controlling the humidity, particularly with respect to the separation of larger water particles and the mixing of the liney particles with the air being delivered. Improved control of ilow is also included in this object.

A still further object is to provide apparatus for operation by the pump unit ofthe humidifyingv system which is capable of use as a catheter.

How the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained will be understood from the drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevational-view showing humidifying apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the generating and delivery unit to an enlarged scale.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken in the direction of arrows 3 3, Figure 2.` Figure 4 is a sectional vview of the supporting block taken in the direction of arrows 4 4, Figure 3.

2,928,664 Patented Mar. 15, 1960 Hee 7 7, Figure 6, showing the air passage from the swivelV mounting.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken in the direction of Figure 8 is a sectional view through the upper pivot as indicated by arrows 8 8, Figure 6.

Figure l shows a general arrangement of apparatus illustrating the present invention. A small platform 11 equipped with casters 12 supports a vertical post 13. An electric motor 14 operates air compressor 15 which is equipped with intake or suction line 16 and pressure line 17. Oil trap 18 prevents oil particles from entering the delivered air.

Near the upper end of post 13 a shelf 19 supports a container 20 for holding a supply of distilled water. Shelf 19 also supports the reservoir 21 and trap 22 which will be described in detail later.

The air line 17 yconnects'into a horizontal rigid pipe 23 supported on post 13. Pipe 23 supports an air pressure gage 24. At the upper end of post 13 a support member 25 is mounted for rotational movement with respect to post 13. Attached to support 25 by means of pivots 26 and 27 are two parallel supporting rods 28 and 29. At one end of rods 28 and 29 is mounted a supporting block 30 by means of pivots 31 and 32 and at the other end of rods 28 and 29 there is mounted a counterweight 33 having pivots 34 and 35.

Block 30 supports the delivery unit generally indicated by numeral 36, the construction of which is more clearly shown in Figures 2, -3 and 4. Horizontal duct 37 is supported on block 30 and extends to support central post 38 and the' upper chamber 39. At the lower end of post 38 is supported reservoir 40, a thumbscrew 41 being used Vto retain it in position while permitting its removal for cleaning purposes. Between chamber 39 and reservoir 40 the delivery nozzle 42 is supported in a fashion which permits its rotation above the axis of post 38 to provide position adjustment. It will be noted in Figure 2 that nozzle 42 expands in plan view to the delivery end which is provided with a curved outlet as indicated at 43. A shallow dam or wall 44 is provided near the end of nozzle 42 to prevent any condensed mois'- ture from dripping out of the nozzle. Drain holes 45 permit return of condensation to the reservoir 40.

A drip pan 46 is located below the chamber 39 and catches condensed moisture from the chamber walls. Drain hole 47 provides for return of moisture to the reservoir 40. Filler pipe 40a connects to reservoir 40 which is preferably transparent so that the water level indicated at 40b may be readily checked.

Mounted in block 30 is the atomizer unit 48 which may be screwed into place by means of threads 49. Unit 48 is equipped with an air nozzle 50 and a second nozzle 51 connected to the reservoir. Nozzle 51 terminates close to the end of air nozzle 50 in position so that the air ilow induces a suction action to draw a supply of water into the air stream in the form of tine particles. The

`water is delivered to nozzle 51 by means of channel 52 in block 30 which connects by means of tubes 53 and 53a to the screened inlet 54 in the reservoir 40. Air is delivered to nozzle 50 through channel 55 in block 30.

To increase the volume of ow through the delivery unit 36 outside air is admitted to the pipe 37 through y,

the slot 56. The suction induced by ow of air from the atomizer causes the inflow of air through slot 56. The volume is controlled by means of collar 57 which is supported on thread 58 so that rotation of collar 57 varies the degree of effective opening of slot 56. l

Figure 4 illustrates the pivotal mounting of block 30 and the manner in which the air is delivered through the pivot to the block. Here it will be seen that the upper parallel rod 28 is attached to block 30 by means of-bolt 31and nut member 59, a nylon bushing 60 being proand in housing 7 1.

vided kt9 sive smooth fr itional .restraint .so that .the unit wenn will remain in any positionto which it is adjusted. The

lower supporting rod 29 is `attached by a short'bolt 32 whichxtends into .acvlindrical'member .6I-in which iS provided lanair passage 6 3. Passage 63 leads to/an `antnular groove 64 which connects to the channel' 5 5 in i nections at the upper end of post 13. Here it-will be ssen that connecting pipe 65 `is attached to the end: 0f

Cylindrical pivotmcmber while rod 2.9 Supported by bolt 27 to pivot meinber'66 which in turn Ais mounted in support 25. Figure 8 shows how upperrod ZS'is attached to the support 2 5 by bolt 26. Y

Figures `5 and l6 `Show the upper end of post `13 with internal annular V Sleeve 67 to thtop-Qt whichnis attached plate 68. A rotatable axle 6 9 supported in sleeve 67 .by thrust bearing 7.0 which is supported an 1plate 68 `69 is attached to `.support 2S by threaded terminal 72. The air `connectie n1 thuspasses Athrough `'pivot 66 to central Ychannel 73 in' agde 69 and then through hole 74 to annular groove 75 which in ,turn connects to deliverykpipe 2 3 from thecompressor (see liigure 5). Seals 76 are provided at'ah Side -O f groove 4In Figures 6 and 7 it will belscicnfthat a p in77A is fastened to housing 71 and two stop pins'78 and 79 are mounted in plate 68. Y These pins-limit the angular swing .of the ,support 25. In'addition a thumbscrew 8.0 is.pro.' vided to lock the axle- 69 V at any desired position of ad,-A justment. It will also benoted -in VFigure 7 that plate 6 8 is provided with slots 8 1 and 8 2 to allow `entry `of bar 29 and pipe -respectively. These slots .serve to permit lowering the delivery u nitd to the position 36a,

shown in dotted outline in Figure 1. :Slotspl and ,-82 1 retain the unit in central lowered position over theplatf orm 11 for storage purposes.

In Figure 5V a small needle Yvalve 83 is `shown at the t en@ .0f air delivery pipe 23. t VThis valve v83allows bleeding of ainfrom the 'delivery line thereby Aproviding for control of the airsupply to the atomizerto produce Sthe desired amount of Y Alsoin Figure 5 the catheter Vsystem-attached to the suction side of the pump is shown. The suctionline 16 connects to the support. 84 which has a chamber .85to one end `of which is connected the bleed valve 86. By opening or closing valve 86 the `amount ofsuction in Ih@ vttltheter system is controlled. Connected to suction chamber 85 is a tube 87 which leads to trap 22. Another tube SS leads from the bottom of trap'22 to 4thetop Vof catheter chamber 2l The ,Catheter tube 89 is ,attached to the top of chamber 21 and this tube `89 is `used for the removal of Ys ecgretions which `are deposited inchamber 2 1. When the catheter is used .the air line 17 may be removed frornthe pump and when the humidifier is in use the suction line 16 may be removed. Y

The operation of the apparatus is relatively simple;`

When n sed'to provide humidied air forv a 4'patient the apparatus may be conveniently moved to the bedside and if Vdesired the major part of the .platform 11 with the motor `and compressor maybe located underthe bed in order to further reduce theeiective space used by the` apparatus'. With the reservoir 4t) suppliedlwith water and with suction tube'16 removed and delivery tube'17 connected, the compressor is `placed in operation Vby starting" `the-:air Vinlet slot 56 '.inrased volume si air is admitted- The vacuum inherent in tube 37 by virtue of the airow induced byV the atomizer jet provides for inow of outside air through tube 37 which is mixed with Vthe air and.

mist from the atomizer. Removal of larger mist particles takes place as the air ows through tube 37, then through mixing chamber V39 where the flow velocity carries such larger water particles against the wall where they adhere and ow back to the reservoir.

AThus the deliveredfair contains only very tine mist which is not wetting. The adjustments provide for full controlV of volume and concentration. The delivery nozzle V42'ray be adjusted to the desired position close to the patients face by raising orlowering on the parallel rodlinkage,` the upper position ofadjustment being indicated at 36h. ln addition vthe apparatus may be swung in a horizontal direction on its mounting axle `69 and the nozzle 42 maybe rotated to the most effective deliv- @ry position- For u se as acathetcr, pressure tube 171m'aybe dis,- connectedand suction tube 16 attached to the plump 15, The desired degree of suction is obtained byadjusting the'bleeder valve 86.` Opening valve 86 admits air lto tube 1 6 and thu's reduces the suction action inthe connecting tubes 87 and SSto j ar 21. The catheter to be used is connected to flexible tube 89 and the uids drawn od are carried through tube ,89 to the container or `jar 2 1 whchmay be emptied after use. i'

From the foregoing it -will be evident that I have prof` vided an improved form of apparatus for medical use, particularly in connection with the generation and delivery of humidied air for breathing. This apparatus gives a convenient Vmeans of inhaling Ainely suspended water particles without the necessityof an `enclosing canopy. A large volume of mist 4may be generated-and delivered to the region of the patients face to `supply ta cloud which continually replenishes itself. The controlsper.-

mit accurate adjustment of the degree of localized mist concentration. The universal position adjustment allows the .delivery nozzle to `be located so `that the mist cloud envelopes the face in a satisfactory manner.` The `con struction further permits ready removal of 4the reservoir and the atomizer unit for inspection and cleaning. -By

means of the slottedplate at the top of the pedestal the linkage may be held in retracted central positionfor 1.. Apparatus for producing humidifiedairincluding a duct, an atomizer unit positioned at one end o fslaid duct with its ejection direction parallel to Athe axis Aof said duct, the end of said fd uct'opposite said atomizer unit being open and supported 1in a chamber of relatively the motor 14 (electrical connections not shown). The

degree of humidity and volume delivered is then adjustedi to the desired condition jbyoperation of the bleeder-valve 83 and the air control collar 57; Valve 83 controlsrthe pressure delivered to the atomizer =unit,V the pressure `betpg reduced by opening `valve l'and bleeding oit4 part of the-air.V With reduced .pressure lless water linist lis `pro naaynwemizer: @matinsanciennet# larger sectional area than said duct, said chamberbeing closed at its upper side and open at its bottom side to provide downward delivery lof the gas therefrom, the outlet vend of said duct being located `generally centrally l in said chamber, a final delivery` channel extending horizontally from the open bottom side of said chamber, a duid container located directly below said'` chamber `at Aan elevation lower `than said delivery channel and co-` duct'with its ejection direction )parallel to the axisof said d uct, the end of said Mductlopposite said atornizer` unit' being .supported in a .chamber of `relatively 'l larger sectional area than said'duct; said .chamber being lclosed at its upper side rand'open at itsbottom side-toprovide.

downs'vard Adelivery of thez'gas therefrom, the outlet end of said duct being located generally centrally in said chamber, a nal delivery channel extending horizontally from the open bottom side of said chamber, a uid container located directly below said chamber at an elevation lower than said delivery channel and cooperating with said delivery channel to otherwise close the bottom side of said chamber, anda support connected to said container and extending upwardly to engage said duct, said duct being mounted horizontally at an elevation higher than said delivery channel and a uid delivery pipe extending from said container to said atomizer unit.

3. Apparatus for producing humidifed air including a duct, an atomizer unit positioned at one end of said duct with its ejection direction parallel to the axis of said duct, the end of said duct opposite said atomizer unit being supported in a chamber of relatively larger sectional area than said duct, said chamber being closed at its upper side and open at its bottom side to provide downward delivery of the gas therefrom, the outlet end of said duct being located generally centrally in said cham ber, a nal delivery channel extending horizontally from the lower side of said chamber, a supporting member connected to said duct,l a post structure, a pair of parallel links pivoted to said member and extending to the upper end of said post structure, a pivotal connection between said links and said post structure, thereby providing vertical adjustment of said delivery channel, said delivery channel being vrotatable with respect to said supporting member about a vertical axis, thereby providing directional adjustment of said channel, one of said links being in the form of a tube which serves as a channel for delivery of gas to said atomizcr.

4. Apparatus for producing humidied air including a duct, an atomizer unit positioned at one end of said duct with its ejection direction parallel to the axis of said duct, the end of said duct opposite said atomizer unit being supported in a chamber of relatively larger sectional area than said duct, said chamber being closed at its upper side and open at its bottom side to provide downward delivery of the gas therefrom, the outlet end of said duct being located generally centrally in said chamber, a final delivery channel extending horizontally from the lower side of said chamber, a supporting member connected to said duct, a post structure, a pair of parallel links pivoted to said member and extending to the upper end of said post structure, a pivotal connection between said links and said post structure, thereby providing vertical adjustment of said delivery channel, said delivery channel being rotatable with respect to said supporting member about a vertical axis, thereby providing directional adjustment of said channel, one of said links being in the form of a tube which serves as a channel for delivery of gas to said atomizer, one of said links extending beyond said post structure andhaving a` counterweight attached thereto.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 480,261 Herr Aug. 9, 1892 834,594 Van Wyck Oct. 30, 1906 1,839,193 Blanchard Ian. 5, 1932 1,843,169 McKesson Feb. 2, 1932 2,381,558 Robinson Aug. 7, 1945 2,421,359 Sutherland May 27, 1947 2,456,724 Mullikan Dec. 21, 1948 2,778,617 Gibbon Jan. 221957 2,778,619 Goodyear Jan. 22, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 28,746 Great Britain of 1909 812,216 France Ian. 27, 1937 124,518 ,AustraliaV June 5,1947

Great Britain July 26, l1950 

